Getting the Front Shocks Out....

[WIL35]

I've undone the top and bottom mounting nuts and removed the bolts so the shock absorber is loose, the drag link is disconnected from the lower wishbone. What is the technique for getting the shock out now?

If I lift it, the shock wedges against the top mount on the chassis and the inner side of the upper wishbone and this isn't high enough to clear the lower wishbone. I'm figuring that I will need to remove something else, but was hoping to replace them without upsetting the geometry.

Any suggestions from those with experience would be much appreciated!!

[BLUETHUNDER]

Have you managed to pull the lower wishbone out of the way???

[WIL35]

BLUETHUNDER said:

Have you managed to pull the lower wishbone out of the way???

Do you mean pull it downwards with it still connected to the chassis or do I need to disconnect the lower wishbone from the chassis? I used the manual's instructions and it didn't mention removing it.

[Ireland]

You don't need to disconnect any wishbones, etc.

The shock can be manouvered out but it's tricky.

I used a lever (nail-bar / piece of wood / etc) to push the wishbone down a little bit and it made the job a lot easier.

You are only going to get an extra inch or so of clearance but it makes a big difference.

[WIL35]

Ok thanks, I'll try levering the wishbone down to get clearance. Would I be better off undoing the mounting nuts and bolts on the shock absorber on the other side? Will that allow the ARB to move down a bit more?

Hopefully I'll get a bit of time tonight to have a go.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Ireland said:

You don't need to disconnect any wishbones, etc.

The shock can be manouvered out but it's tricky.

I used a lever (nail-bar / piece of wood / etc) to push the wishbone down a little bit and it made the job a lot easier.

You are only going to get an extra inch or so of clearance but it makes a big difference.

Thats exactly what i did.

[Ireland]

WIL35 said:

Ok thanks, I'll try levering the wishbone down to get clearance. Would I be better off undoing the mounting nuts and bolts on the shock absorber on the other side? Will that allow the ARB to move down a bit more?

I didn't but yeah, it might.

Let us know if it does.

[WIL35]

Ireland said:

WIL35 said:

Ok thanks, I'll try levering the wishbone down to get clearance. Would I be better off undoing the mounting nuts and bolts on the shock absorber on the other side? Will that allow the ARB to move down a bit more?

I didn't but yeah, it might.

Let us know if it does.

Yes, it does make a difference. I spent ages trying to get one shock out, but after undoing the top and bottom bolts on both sides, I could just lean on the hub and it gave the right amount of clearance to extract them!

Any idea what the torque settings are for the shock absorber mounting bolts?